Notes: The Wildcats have suddenly found a defensive edge and that’s made them tough. The only loss comes in Olean for Coach McKillop’s bunch.

3) St Bonaventure 10-4

Remaining Schedule: vs. Duquesne, @ VCU, Davidson, @ St. Louis

Prediction: 12-6 (3 seed)

Notes: The Bonnies lose both their road games in this finishing stretch. I’m not ready to trust them in big road games this season. Their only A-10 road victories were over George Mason, Duquesne and La Salle.

4) St. Louis 8-6

Remaining Schedule: @ Dayton, GW, @ Duquesne, St. Bonaventure

Prediction: 11-7 (4 seed)

Notes: I was completely wrong on this team. Coach Ford has done a tremendous job and finishes strong with three wins down the stretch. They could beat Dayton tonight, but I’ll lean to the Flyers at UD Arena.

5) VCU 7-7

Remaining Schedule: @ UMass, St. Bonaventure, George Mason, @ Fordham

Prediction: 10-8 (6 seed)

Notes: Go figure this team as you keep waiting for the real Rams to show up. Past VCU teams run the table here, but I feel like they could slip up in Amherst against an equally inconsistent UMass team.

6) Richmond 7-7

Remaining Schedule: @ GW, St. Joe’s, UMass, @ George Mason

Prediction: 9-9 (7 seed)

Notes: Inconsistency runs in the water in this city apparently. I thought the Spiders would steamroll SLU but I was wrong. I think they beat GW and UMass and trip up against the Hawks and Patriots.

7) St. Joseph’s 7-7

Remaining Schedule: Mason, @ Richmond, @ Rhode Island, La Salle

Prediction: 10-8 (5 seed)

Notes: I believe in the Hawks despite their lack of defense. Demery, Newkirk and Funk have been really good. They get the 5 seed by virtue of their win over VCU back on January 3rd 87-81 in overtime.

8) Duquesne 6-8

Remaining Schedule: @ St Bonaventure, Davidson, St. Louis, @ UMass

Prediction: 6-12 (13 seed)

Notes: Remember when this team was good? The bottom has dropped out and they’ve lost four straight and six of their last seven.

9) George Mason 6-8

Remaining Schedule: @ St. Joe, UMass, @ VCU, Richmond

Prediction: 8-10 (8 seed)

Notes: The Patriots have played some good basketball with wins in three of their last five. They win the home games and lose the road ones.

10) Dayton 6-8

Remaining Schedule: St. Louis, @ Rhode Island, @ La Salle, GW

Prediction: 8-10 (9 seed)

Notes: The Flyers have been a bit of a disappointment but Anthony Grant has had to refill their pantry much like Mike Rhoades had to at VCU. They lose the tiebreaker to Mason because they lost in Fairfax on 2/14.

11) George Washington 5-9

Remaining Schedule: Richmond, @ St. Louis, Fordham, @ Dayton

Prediction: 7-11 (10 seed)

Notes: The Colonials have won three of their last four as they’ve started to put some things together. Could make a sneaky run.

12) La Salle 5-9

Remaining Schedule: Rhode Island, @ Fordham, Dayton, @ St. Joseph’s

Prediction: 7-11 (11 seed)

Notes: Dr. John is the worst coach in the league. You want to line up opposite this team despite their talent because their coach is an idiot.

13) UMass 4-10

Remaining Schedule: VCU, @ Mason, @ Richmond, Duquesne

Prediction: 6-12 (12 seed)

Notes: Luwane Pipkins is fun to watch. I think they hold serve at home, but lose on the road. That last game could be important for seeding against Duquesne.

14) Fordham 4-10

Remaining Schedule: @ Davidson, La Salle, @ GW, VCU

Prediction: 4-14 (14 seed)

Notes: Poor Fordham. Stuck in last where they are used to being.

A-10 Tournament Bracket:

3/7:

UMass vs. Duquesne, 6

La Salle vs. Fordham, 8:30

3/8:

Mason vs. Dayton, Noon

St. Joe’s vs. (Duquesne/UMass winner), 2:30

Richmond vs. GW, 6

VCU vs. (La Salle vs. Fordham winner), 8:30

3/9:

Rhode Island vs. (Mason vs. Dayton winner), Noon

St. Louis vs. (SJU/Duq/UMass winner), 2:30

Davidson vs. (Richmond vs. GW winner), 6

St. Bonaventure vs. (VCU/LS/Ford winner), 8:30

If this is the layout, then you have to like things for the Spiders and Rams. Richmond matches up well with GW and Davidson while the Rams get a nice first game before they play St. Bonaventure in what should feel like a true road game. Could we get VCU/Richmond part three in this scenario? There’s a very good chance.